Nicole and the Apothecary Family Live Freely
“Yes, this is the amount we will purchase today. Please check your account balance.”
When I looked at the card and the paper with the amount handed to me, the digits had increased significantly compared to before, and my eyes widened in shock!
“Whoa~~!!”
The staff watched me tremble with emotion, their gaze warm and amused.
“When we hear Nicole-chan’s joyful voice, it feels like the changing of the seasons.”
Even though I only come three times a year, I’ve somehow become a seasonal highlight!?
“Oh my, Nicole, you’re such an embarrassing child…”
My mother’s voice echoed through the hall as she sat in the waiting area.
Ugh…
That said, there are rarely other customers inside the pharmacist guild.
Apparently, pharmacists and alchemists tend to be shy and reclusive.
If you live in Tokaran Town, the guild staff visit workshops regularly, so this place is always quiet.
Hmm, but if Jane at the inn has heard rumors about me…?
Glancing sideways at the receptionist lady, she was smiling brightly.
“We have confidentiality obligations, so we won’t leak any personal information! Please rest assured.”
Oh?
“I eat lunch at Jane-chan’s inn, and during that time, we end up talking about Nicole-chan…”
Even if she blushes faintly and tilts her head cutely, it doesn’t matter since they don’t know my account balance, right??
While we were chatting like this, a male staff member approached from behind the counter.
“Excuse me. I have a letter for apothecary Liam-sama and Nicole-sama, delivered from the capital.”
A serious-looking square-faced man handed a sealed envelope to my father.
After checking the recipient’s name, my father momentarily widened his eyes but tilted his head and showed me the sender.
It was none other than Sieghart from the capital!?
“Why is it addressed to our house?”
“Who knows?”
As my father and I stood confused, the receptionist explained.
“Sometimes people who know apothecaries send letters via the guild. The pharmacist guild connects fairly large towns, so there are regular shipments at least once or twice a week. Since they transport precious medicines and potions, high-ranked escorts accompany them, making it faster and more reliable than asking the adventurer’s guild to deliver mail. Of course, the fee is higher…”
I see!
By the way, the adventurer’s guild doesn’t officially handle mail delivery; they simply act as job brokers.
Did Sieghart remember that the neighboring pharmacist family visits Tokaran Town’s pharmacist guild every spring and decided to splurge on sending a letter through the guild to ensure it arrived safely?
The envelope was quite thick, so it likely contained letters for the whole family.
“There’s no mistake in the address, so I’ll keep it.”
After signing for receipt, my father tucked the letter into his magic bag.
◆◇◆
After leaving the pharmacist guild, we headed to a familiar trading company.
While my father conducted business negotiations, my mother, Alt, and I decided to take our time browsing the store.
Usually, when it’s just my father and me, we glance around quickly and leave in a hurry, but today we had plenty of time to shop leisurely!
Since larger stores allow purchases using the pharmacist guild card, I thought I’d indulge a bit.
Our shopping budget isn’t extravagant anyway!
First, we ordered essentials: salt, wheat flour, and sugar.
We could pick them up tomorrow morning by cart.
My mother also selected rare beans and spices.
Spotting jars of honey cheaper than sugar, she bought several bottles in bulk.
After the food section, we visited the sweets aisle for Alt, buying various candies and cookies on the spot.
We also stocked up on long-lasting biscuit tins.
Next, we browsed the toy section.
There were only simple wooden and cloth toys, but Alt begged my mother for a small wooden sword.
“Why not ask for one of Sieghart’s old ones? When he was your age, he used to swing it in the backyard while shouting out technique names.”
Exposing Sieghart’s embarrassing past earned a wry smile from my mother.
“Don’t bring up stories from when he was little! Sieghart-kun holds the title of Hero, you know.”
She whispered the latter half as a warning.
Don’t casually talk about the great hero’s black history in public?
“What kind of technique names did he use?”
Alt looked up at me, clearly intrigued.
Boys really are curious about these things, huh?
“Well, I’ll tell you when we get home. Dad and Uncle Arthur know too… But as your older sister, I hope you practice normal swings, okay?”
Alt looked puzzled.
Smiling wryly, my mother bought him a practice bow and arrow instead.
“Why not use one of mine?”
“Your weird habits might rub off. Bows and arrows are delicate things.”
Ouch, guess I got scolded.
“Sorry for being clumsy!”
“Honestly, this child…”
My mother laughed helplessly.
In the fabric and thread section, my mother’s eyes lit up.
Passionate about her rare shopping trip, she earnestly discussed fabric lengths and thread colors with the clerk.
She even bought needles in bulk.
When my father joined us later, he smiled fondly at my mother’s enthusiasm.
“Ah, I need to bring you here more often.”
“Yeah. At least once a year would be good. Alt doesn’t require as much attention now.”
I firmly held Alt’s hand, deciding to focus on babysitting today.
“Oh? There’s magical equipment over there.”
Drawn by my father’s voice, we turned to see a corner displaying everyday magical items.
Telling my mother we’d “check it out,” my father, Alt, and I headed over.
“Wow! The latest model of a magic stove! It seems to have excellent mana crystal efficiency!”
“Nice. But it’s easier to adjust something you’re used to, right?”
“Yeah, that thing about developing strange habits!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
My father didn’t know about the earlier exchange with my mother!
Alt noticed and chuckled quietly.
My dear little brother, how cute!
They also sold magic lamps, magic tents, and magic bags!
As expected, the high-end items were locked in display cases, guarded by both gentlemanly clerks and burly escorts.
Magic bags came in all price ranges, and since this was a big store, only premium products lined the shelves.
Unfortunately, platinum-level prices were out of reach…
I wish there were slightly lower-tier options.
With lingering regret, I gazed at the prices before moving on.